WINNIPEG, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister
of State (Social Development), today joined the Mental Health
Commission of Canada for the release of the regional Winnipeg
homelessness study results, which are part of the world-leading At
Home/Chez Soi project. The Minister also announced the Harper
government's investment of more than $28 million through the City of
Winnipeg to support projects that prevent and reduce homelessness,
including projects that address the needs of the Aboriginal homeless
population.

Results from the study revealed that using a Housing First approach,
which gives people who are homeless a place to live and then provides
the necessary supports to help them stabilize their lives, is an
effective way to reduce homelessness and help those with mental
illness, including the Aboriginal homeless population.

Economic Action Plan 2013 announced the renewal of the Homelessness
Partnering Strategy, using the evidence-based Housing First approach.
The Government of Canada, provinces and territories, other federal
departments, as well as communities and the private and not-for-profit
sectors are working together to help Canadians reintegrate into their
communities and become contributing members of society.

Quick Facts

At Home/Chez Soi project was initiated in 2008 thanks to a $110 million
investment over five years (2008-2013) from the Harper government. The
most comprehensive study of homelessness of its kind in the world, the
study sites included Moncton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and
Montréal. More than 2,000 Canadians with mental illness experiencing
homelessness were followed in the study; 513 participants were followed
at the Winnipeg site.

The national results show that for every $10 spent on Housing First, $21
was saved in health, justice, and social services.

Last year, the Government of Canada committed nearly $600 million in
funding over five years, until March 2019, to renew the Homelessness
Partnering Strategy (HPS) using a Housing First approach.

Since the launch of the HPS in April 2007, nearly 25,000 Canadians who
are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefitted from
education and training opportunities; over 27,000 have received help to
find work; and more than 4,800 new shelter beds have been created.

Quotes

"Thanks to this world-leading study, we have the evidence that Housing
First works. The results specific to Winnipeg clearly indicate that
Housing First can rapidly end homelessness among different groups,
including Aboriginal people in our urban centres, while also being a
sound financial investment." - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

"We are pleased to partner with the City of Winnipeg to implement
Housing First. Through this new approach, we can move out of crisis
mode in terms of managing homelessness and work towards eliminating it
altogether, building stronger communities and ensuring Canada's
long-term prosperity." - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

"The Mental Health Commission of Canada's At Home/Chez Soi project has
clearly shown that the Housing First approach can be adapted to meet
the needs of communities across the country. We applaud the federal
government's investment in this world-class body of research, and we
are delighted to see the quick action they have taken in response to
its findings. This translates into better use of public dollars to
address homelessness among people with mental illness." - Louise Bradley, President and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of
Canada

"Over the years, we have seen the positive results Homelessness
Partnering Strategy projects have in our community. Thanks to our
partnerships with other levels of government and the Government of
Canada's continued support, we are able to work together to help
eliminate homelessness." - Mike Pagtakhan, Councillor for Point Douglas, City of Winnipeg

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based
program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing
direct support and funding to 61 designated communities across Canada.

The evidence-based Housing First approach recognizes that housing
stability is an important first step in addressing homelessness. It is
also necessary for the success of other interventions such as education
and training, developing life skills and managing mental health issues.

Housing First involves giving people who are homeless first a place to
live, and then the necessary supports (e.g. for mental illness) to help
them stabilize their lives and recover as well as possible.

The availability of safe, stable housing and related supports is
important in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are
homeless achieve greater self-sufficiency and a better quality of life.

The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are
homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to achieve
self-sufficiency and participate fully in society. This model seeks to
address homelessness by working in partnership with the provinces and
territories and other federal departments, as well as with communities
and the private and not-for-profit sectors.

The Harper government's investment of $28,786,720 through the City of
Winnipeg is over five years.